OT: THIS is life as a recruit in the SEC
1. Saban calls CB (and Georgia commit) Shaq Wiggins into his office on an unofficial visit to Alabama
2. Saban tells him that from hsi film, he hasn't seen cover skills like his in a long time
3. Tells Wiggns that he will offer him a scholarship if he commits to Alabama that day.
4. Wiggins says he's honored, but still chooses to remain with Georgia
5. Is promptly offered by 3 more SEC schools, like his verbal never happened.
A verbal in the sec, is kind of like strippers with a heart of gold. We know they exist, we just don't put much stock into them.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
Is this what Mike of Rivals was talking about this weekend about a possible flip?
February 27th, 2012 at 1:19 PM ^
Wiggins is VERY solid with UGA.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^
I can tell that by your article. But Mike hinted that a possible flip could occur this past weekend (before visit had occurred), but it didn't happen. He said a committed guy had visited somewhere and could flip.
I was wondering if this is possibly what he was referring to.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:28 PM ^
Our theory here is if you are still taking visits you're not that commited
February 27th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^
February 27th, 2012 at 1:20 PM ^
I had something else in mind when I clicked on this thread. Where's the strippers/coke/cash/cars in this story?
February 27th, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
Like the rest of the great writers of my time, I have to leave something to the imgination.
February 27th, 2012 at 4:46 PM ^
I dont.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^
Which is why moving back the earliest date a written offer could be extended was the most brain-dead thing the NCAA has done in ages, and that's really saying something.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^
Weird tactic. Yeah a prospect in that situation might commit, but it's going to be a pretty weak commitment.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^
"Hasn't seen cover skills like his in a long time." If I had a dime a college coach said that to a recruit I would be a wealthy man.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:41 PM ^
"Long time" is subjective. A couple of hours can be considered a long time...
I expect nothing less from Saban.
February 27th, 2012 at 3:47 PM ^
Funny thing, those same words are often heard during my part-time work as an adult film cameraman, though to be fair the context is decidely different.
February 27th, 2012 at 5:28 PM ^
I had a very small part in an adult film once. In fact, my part was so small, all the ladies said it was the smallest they'd ever seen.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^
what I find more interesting, is Saban sending 105 recruiting letters, to running back Alvin Kamara... in one day.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^
Has any recruit turned the tables on the SEC coaches and verbally committed to multiple schools?
February 27th, 2012 at 1:51 PM ^
What's he doing visiting Bama? Couldn't he have said "thanks but no thanks Mr. Saban, I'm just here for [whatever] on an unofficial visit" and not gone into his office?
In general I think the 2 common recruiting terms should be switched. Intent should be used for "Verbals" and Committment once you sign your name. Not vice versa
February 27th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^
to me whatever. In truth, it is anything but. I'd like to think the NCAA sat down with some cohesive plan, but I can't help wondering which bar they were in when they put it together.
February 27th, 2012 at 2:01 PM ^
Anyone who thinks there should be some sort of "gentlemen's agreement" between coaches not to recuit each others committed kids must think that the interests of coaches are more important than the interests of the kids.
I don't know how you can justify a position like that. Deciding which school to attend and finding the right fit is one of the most important decisions these kids will make in their lives.
If coaches agree to withhold offers in order to keep their classes intact and prevent other coaches from offering their commits, the coaches are really just conspiring to put their interests before the interests of the kids.
If a 16/17 y/o kids verbals to one school then switches to a different school because it turned out to be a better fit for him, the kid's actions are completely justified imo.
February 27th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
I'm perfectly fine with what Saban did. He slimed it up a little by not just extending the offer but unless a recruit asks not to be recruited it's fair game. If a commit is visiting Alabama he is there to be recruited.
February 27th, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
then I saw your avatar and now my thoughts escape me completely. Good thing it's the end of the day...
February 27th, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^
February 27th, 2012 at 2:05 PM ^
Yep, I definitely thought I'd open this thread and find photos of free cars and beautiful women in bed.
February 27th, 2012 at 3:57 PM ^
February 27th, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
I know MBB is the only other ultra-competiive and publicized recruiting process (so it's the right comparison), but the NCAA has two signing periods in every sport except football, and it works out fine for every other, non-football athlete.
February 27th, 2012 at 5:25 PM ^
The NCAA has been trying to stop or slow the process of recruiting creep, where kids are being recruited earlier and earlier. An early signing period would be counterproductive. Haven't you noticed how, for all intents and purposes, the "early signing period" has become "the signing period"?
When you see how it's done in lacrosse and hockey and baseball, it becomes clear why an early signing period is a bad idea. At least in football, the recruiting crush comes when a player is older and better able to handle it, as opposed to when he's as young as 14 or 15. Lacrosse, for example, everyone wrapped up their 2013 classes a while ago and are working on verbals from the class of 2014. Not healthy.
Besides, there's the issue of coaching changes. I know that there are all kinds of creative ideas to reduce the impact of those on the player, but the NCAA does not do "creative." I go back to the example of Roy Roundtree. If there were an early signing period, he would be a Boilermaker right now.
February 27th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^
your own thread just for a heads up. People on here will get all over you for it. I am newer on here also so just a heads up Roll Damn Tide.